All-in-one starry sky hot springs and more: Japan’s 8 top glamping lodges where you can check in empty-handed

▲The Hanayama Sui Ryokan in Chiba Prefecture is known for its luxury camping vibe. (Photo / fromHanayama Sui Ryokan official website)

By reporter Tsai Wenjun / Comprehensive report

The camping craze is sweeping the globe. These days, camping is no longer about the traditional, barebones experience. Instead, a rising trend of “luxury-style” camping lets travelers enjoy nature without packing much. In Japan, several campgrounds now offer dreamy facilities on par with five-star hotels, featuring a variety of unique tents and fully equipped lodging amenities. Rakuten Travel’s booking site has revealed Japan’s 8 most popular glamping lodges, allowing travelers to enjoy both starry skies and hot springs in one visit.

1. Chiba Prefecture – Hanayama Sui Ryokan
Topping the popularity charts, the “Hanayama Sui Ryokan” is located within the Okukiyosumi Nature Park in Chiba Prefecture’s Minami Boso area. Blessed with an exceptional natural environment, the campsite features generously sized bell tents with diameters of up to 5 meters. These spacious tents come furnished with complete sets of furniture, as well as electrical outlets, electric kettles, refrigerators, and other appliances. Guests can enjoy fishing in the great outdoors and have barbecues with family and friends on the wooden deck area. For those looking to unwind or soak in the forest’s phytoncides, this is the perfect place to fully enjoy the comforts of glamping.

2. Chiba Prefecture – Camel Resort & Spa
Coming in second place is the “Camel Resort & Spa,” a golf course surrounded by rich natural scenery. Its campsite is set within a 47-square-meter wooden deck area on the course, surrounded by well-manicured lawns—perfect for families with kids. The tents are fully equipped, and they even feature Japanese-style furnishings such as floor cushions, coffee tables, and lanterns. The resort’s large public bath offers towels, shampoo, conditioner, and other essentials, so guests can show up empty-handed. Outside the tents, there are rain shelters and seating where you can enjoy mountain views and starry night skies. And of course, no camping trip is complete without a barbecue—guests can rent barbecuing equipment here to host a fun cookout with family and friends.

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3. Kochi Prefecture – Yamamizuki
Located in Kochi Prefecture, “Yamamizuki” is famous for its views of the clear Shimanto River and the Pacific Ocean. Within its 50,000-square-meter coastal campsite, guests can stay in spacious 5-meter-wide tents for ultimate comfort. Notably, besides outdoor camping areas, the site also offers indoor tent zones and an open-air bath that can be reserved for private use, featuring a natural onsen with flowing spring water. The food is also top-notch—visitors can dine on Japanese cuisine made with produce from an on-site farm while enjoying champagne, all set against a breathtaking seascape, ensuring a relaxing and luxurious time.

The 4th to 8th most popular glamping lodges are:

Nagano Prefecture – Karuizawa TKP LUXE Resort
Shiga Prefecture – Oku Biwako Makino Grand Hotel
Okinawa Prefecture – Nanbaume Nature Resort
Mie Prefecture – Oku Ise Miya River Onsen Oku Ise Forest Pia Miya River Lodge
Nagasaki Prefecture – Nanpuro Hotel